This Friday, 15 August, the calendars of Lutherans, Anglicans, and perhaps some other liturgically minded Protestants calls for the celebration of ‘St. Mary – Mother of our Lord’. On this
same day, Roman Catholics will
celebrate the ‘Assumption of the
Blessed Virgin Mary’ and the Orthodox the ‘Dormition of the Theotokos’.

Unfortunately, this feast does not fall on a Sunday, which means most Protestants will hear nothing of it this year. They will not meditate on the readings, the hymns, or the propers assigned for this day. I highly doubt many Lutheran parishes will even reference it in the Prayers of the
Church on Sunday morning. And this is sad. For those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, it’s tragic, as venerating Mary does nothing but point people to her Son.

Yet it’s hardly surprising. In fact, I
think it’s emblematic of Protestantism’s greatest heresy –
ignoring the role that the Blessed
Virgin Mary plays in our faith.
I know this is a strong statement. It’s a stinging indictment of the movement to which I belong and a church body of which I am a pastor. But as much as I wish it weren’t true, I’m afraid it is.

We Protestants say we hold the
Blessed Mother in high esteem. Our calendars even have a few days set aside during the year to honor her.
But this is nothing short of window dressing, as the Blessed Virgin Mary has little to do with the faith we confess. And this must change. We Protestants have to do better. To ignore the Blessed Virgin is to ignore her Son, something no follower of the Christ should ever desire to do.

For starters, I’ve always found it ironic that we who proclaim ‘Sola Scriptura’ seem to ignore the Scriptures when Mary tells us in her Magnificat: “from now on all generations will call me blessed.” But we do – that is, we Protestants almost always ignore this commendation, thereby betraying our own hermeneutic.

Rather, we lump her together with the other saints of the New Testament.
But the Blessed Mother is nothing of the sort. She is no ordinary saint. She is the saint of saints. She is the Theotokos – the Mother of God, a title given her at the Council of Ephesus in 431 and echoed in the Lutheran Book
of Concord. The Blessed Mother is the example that all Christians should emulate. Her “Yes” to the angel Gabriel is an act of faith that sets the standard for all of the Church to follow. And yet when was the last time you heard a sermon, sat through a Bible Class, or read a Protestant theologian
commend the Blessed Virgin Mary as such?
Protestants are quick to criticize Rome for declaring as dogma of the Church the Immaculate Conception in 1854 and the Bodily Assumption in 1950.
“These things are nowhere in the
Scriptures!” Protestants lament. I say, who cares? Is it that offensive to suggest that the God-Bearer was wiped clean of original sin in a single act of grace by the One whom she would bring into the world? Does is not make sense that the New Eve would be a spotless ark for her Son, the Messiah? The Immaculate Conception isn’t about Mary, it’s about Jesus, and to speak of His Mother as sinless (as Luther and other Reformers did) is a most salutary thing to do, especially considering that she remained a virgin throughout her earthly life (a universally accepted belief even among the most radical of Protestant reformers and a teaching taught in the Lutheran Confessions).
And her Bodily Assumption? I guess the examples of Enoch and Elijah mean nothing? Again, what is so theologically offensive about this teaching that is deeply rooted in the Church’s tradition? Do we Lutherans, as the Apology of the Augsburg Confessions teaches, no longer believe that this woman prays for the Church?

To ignore the Blessed Virgin Mary
makes no sense. Without her our
Christology is shot. Without her our hermeneutics are insignificant.
Without her our understanding of sin and grace is incomplete. Without her we cannot call ourselves part of the Body of Christ. This woman is our Mother, commended to the Church by our Lord Himself. And to ignore her is something no Christian should ever do.
Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus
tecum!

[url]thejaggedword.com/2014/08/12/protestantisms-great-heresy-ignoring-the-blessed-mother/[/url]

True Protestanism doesnt follow such. And not to forget, Lutheran Church have been adulterated and pernetrated into that if its founder were alive, he would be shedding tears to death. If you based your point on diversified relevance, then youve lost this already.

Unfortunately you are neither a pastor nor least to say a so called protestant or whatever. It amazes me that your kind would never meet God at the point of His mercy and grace rather than use the biblical Mary as a basis to pen-lash us for not selling our souls to the queen of heaven who actually is a certain mermaid spirit who oppose the truth of the gospel, hate holiness, avoid Biblical salvation and indeed follow an all inclusive worldliness and apostasy.

THERE IS SALVATION IN NO ONE ELSE! GOD HAS GIVEN NO OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN BY WHICH WE MUST BE SAVED - ACTS 4:12, NLT

Stick to your belief and leave them to wander in their ignorance.
Protestants accepting or rejecting of The blessed Mother Mary cannot change what She is in the eyes of God, it cannot reduce her fame neither can it denounce her from being the Queen of heaven.
I wonder what will happen on the last day when Jesus before all creatures will call himself the Son of the Father and Son of Mary.
Just pray for them.

see wetin dey worry these ones.

the rcc worship idols and carved images. it is not of GOD

solotutu: True Protestanism doesnt follow such. And not to forget, Lutheran Church have been adulterated and pernetrated into that if its founder were alive, he would be shedding tears to death. If you based your point on diversified relevance, then youve lost this already.

actually i think you have it upside down. The founder of lutherianism, martin luther actually wrote that mary prays for the church, he also believe mary was a perpetual virgin, he also wrote that mary is the mother of God, he also wrote that she is without original sin, he didn't even attempt to argue the assumption.

From the begining it has been so, it is only 20th and 21th century churches who go about making noise about issues that they are ignorant about.

ogahenry: Unfortunately you are neither a pastor nor least to say a so called protestant or whatever. It amazes me that your kind would never meet God at the point of His mercy and grace rather than use the biblical Mary as a basis to pen-lash us for not selling our souls to the queen of heaven who actually is a certain mermaid spirit who oppose the truth of the gospel, hate holiness, avoid Biblical salvation and indeed follow an all inclusive worldliness and apostasy.

hehehe...

Yes, i am not a protestant pastor, but the writter of the article is a protestant pastor a lutherian.


Don't you find it interesting that all the founders of protestanism believe mary is a virgin and the mother of God? Both luther, calvin, wesley, zwingli, knox and a host of others all belived that.

Don't you find it suprising that all the protestant church that were formed in the 16 and even 17 century all held this teaching?

Don't you think it is unwholesome you are teaching a heresy that was manifested in the 20th century?

The bible rightly says that in the later times people will no longer endure sound doctrines but will be carried away by waves of false opinions.

Ukutsgp: the rcc worship idols and carved images. it is not of GOD

it seems according to you all Christians from the 1st century to the 16th century are going to hell for idolatry.... Have you ever ask yourself "what if you are wrong?"

ogahenry: THERE IS SALVATION IN NO ONE ELSE! GOD HAS GIVEN NO OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN BY WHICH WE MUST BE SAVED - ACTS 4:12, NLT

nobody said there was another name by which we are saved.... It seem you lost your way because that passage has nothing to do with the topic.

Ubenedictus:

it seems according to you all Christians from the 1st century to the 16th century are going to hell for idolatry.... Have you ever ask yourself "what if you are wrong?"

i cant be wrong. i know that through d bible.

Ukutsgp: the rcc worship idols and carved images. it is not of GOD

Does it concern you? why not crave your own path and leave ours for us? Or do you think that you will make heaven by criticizing Catholic church? What of if Catholic church appears to be the only true church on the last day? You will find yourself ending up in hell for saying what does not concern you. Be careful young man

Ukutsgp: i cant be wrong. i know that through d bible.

actually you can be very wrong, because your interpretation of scripture is still fallible. Infact the stuff u think u see may just be because you didn't study well or due to your own innate prejudice.

stanchris4reality: Stick to your belief and leave them to wander in their ignorance.
Protestants accepting or rejecting of The blessed Mother Mary cannot change what She is in the eyes of God, it cannot reduce her fame neither can it denounce her from being the Queen of heaven.
I wonder what will happen on the last day when Jesus before all creatures will call himself the Son of the Father and Son of Mary.
Just pray for them.

the post is actually from a protestant pastor. I'm pretty interested in their reactions.

Ubenedictus:

actually i think you have it upside down. The founder of lutherianism, martin luther actually wrote that mary prays for the church, he also believe mary was a perpetual virgin, he also wrote that mary is the mother of God, he also wrote that she is without original sin, he didn't even attempt to argue the assumption.

From the begining it has been so, it is only 20th and 21th century churches who go about making noise about issues that they are ignorant about.

never heard as such despite reading alot about Lutherism. If you say so......

Ubenedictus:


actually you can be very wrong, because your interpretation of scripture is still fallible. Infact the stuff u think u see may just be because you didn't study well or due to your own innate prejudice.

Hmmm...isn't this your thread?

https://www.nairaland.com/1875678/does-christainity-encourage-intolerance-arrogance#25807915

Be careful...Your arrogance is showing.

Ubenedictus:

it seems according to you all Christians from the 1st century to the 16th century are going to hell for idolatry.... Have you ever ask yourself "what if you are wrong?"

haha all christianity of rome will be punished, from 1st century up until today.

Stop following the teachings of your oyinbo oppressors.

You are the Israelites the bible speaks of. Read the bible, and understand. Concern yourself not with the customs of the heathen

JesusisLord85:

haha all christianity of rome will be punished, from 1st century up until today.

Stop following the teachings of your oyinbo oppressors.

You are the Israelites the bible speaks of. Read the bible, and understand. Concern yourself not with the customs of the heathen

i have an interesting feeling that you will be the only resisdent of your own "heaven".

I just pray that on the last day you won't elect to go to hell simply becos u don't want to be in the same heaven with catholics.

solotutu: never heard as such despite reading alot about Lutherism. If you say so......

i could give you quote from luther and even fron the lutherian book of concord on mary.

I am not just saying so, it is so.

texanomaly:

Hmmm...isn't this your thread?

https://www.nairaland.com/1875678/does-christainity-encourage-intolerance-arrogance#25807915

Be careful...Your arrogance is showing.

i thought you explained on that thread that arrogance is an exalted idea of ones self...i'm not interested in exalting myself.... The post you quoted hardly displays arrogance.

Ubenedictus:

i thought you explained on that thread that arrogance is an exalted idea of ones self...i'm not interested in exalting myself.... The post you quoted hardly displays arrogance.

Ubenedictus:


actually you can be very wrong, because your interpretation of scripture is still fallible. Infact the stuff u think u see may just be because you didn't study well or due to your own innate prejudice.

The arrogance I refer to is the fact that you claim your interpretation is the "right" one, while you claim his is "fallible". You go so far as to say he didn't study well, and his interpretation is due to his prejudices.

So basically, you are right and he is wrong. I think this is the "arrogance" you were trying to get at in that thread.

It is the the thing that bugs me most about all religions. The attitude that, "We know the truth, and everyone else has it wrong." Maybe it's not arrogance. Perhaps impudence is a better word.

Ukutsgp: i cant be wrong. i know that through d bible.

so You Cant Be Wrong?
You Are Now Infallable. Ok O.

Ubenedictus:

The bible rightly says that in the later times people will no longer endure sound doctrines but will be carried away by waves of false opinions.

Glorifying Mary in our assembly is now equated as sound doctrine!

Ok

texanomaly:
The arrogance I refer to is the fact that you claim your interpretation is the "right" one, while you claim his is "fallible". You go so far as to say he didn't study well, and his interpretation is due to his prejudices.

So basically, you are right and he is wrong. I think this is the "arrogance" you were trying to get at in that thread.

It is the the thing that bugs me most about all religions. The attitude that, "We know the truth, and everyone else has it wrong." Maybe it's not arrogance. Perhaps impudence is a better word.

I didn't make the claim you accuse me of making, someone says he can't be wrong, i simply pointed out the fallibility of human opinion.


I'm sure you didn't see the "i can't be wrong" claim but you gladly think it is "imprudent" to say fallibility is within human power.



I believe that it is possible we have the truth, i certainly believe I do, but i didn't make the "i am right, you are wrong" point because most times, I am happy to listen and discuss.

shdemidemi:

Glorifying Mary in our assembly is now equated as sound doctrine!

Ok

the scriptures does say "from henceforth of generations shall call me blessed".

Glorifying mary seems to be a pretty good part of Christianity, it even appears in scripture. It is sound doctrine.

Ubenedictus:

the scriptures does say "from henceforth of generations shall call me blessed".

Glorifying mary seems to be a pretty good part of Christianity, it even appears in scripture. It is sound doctrine.

Who made that statement in the bible?

.

shdemidemi:

Who made that statement in the bible?

The one who was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit. Do you object?

Syncan:

The one who was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit. Do you object?

is it only mary that was blessed in the bible? am i nt blessed too?

Ukutsgp: is it only mary that was blessed in the bible? am i nt blessed too?

If your sight hadn't been covered with scales of lies, you would have noticed there was no blessed in my post.